I just bought a Tormach

[proengines]

Hi guys,

I've been looking around on this forum for a while and read through a lot of the posts in this section which helped me decide to buy a PCNC1100.

I was planning on buying one early next year and having it shipped here but this one popped up on eBay on Sunday, already in Australia, looking almost brand new and with a lot of accessories so I just had to buy it.

I won't have it here for another week or so but from the photos it looks the part and it has a lot of accessories with it so I'm sure it was a good buy compared to shipping a brand new one here.

this is a link to the ebay ad, looking at the accessories, is there anything else you guys who have used them think I would need?

I'm really looking forward to getting the machine. I'm going to make a steel stand for it with some better guarding as well.

[BlueFin]

You have more stuff coming with that mill than I will ever own, but I didn't see an offset boring head. What are you planning to do with the mill?

[proengines]

I've got no specific plans, I've got a machine shop as a business but to be truthful I bought it as a toy. I'm going to buy the microscope/scanner setup, it looks great, plus the tapping gear. I've also looked at the nextengine laser scanner but that may be a while off.

I've got a lot of little projects I want to play with and the size of this machine and the 4th axis was the clincher, I looked at some older larger machines but in reality this is big enough for most of the parts I'd like to make, it's done about 15 hours work and still looks new.

Realistically it cost as much as a cheap used speedboat so I keep justifying it to myself as a hobby that I might be able to make some money from one day.

I also have a bridgeport already so I'm pretty well tooled, I have a couple of boring heads, lots of carbide tooling and the like so I can double up there.

I'm really looking forward to getting it here and having a play!

[philbur]

I don't see any CAM software apart from a 30 day trial on Sprutcam.

Phil

[RTP_Burnsville]

Welcome to the forum..... No need to justify your addition to tools, pretty much everyone here has the same same sickness. Lots of good folks here to help get you going so don't be afraid to jump into the conversation. We are looking forword to photos once the new addition arrives!

Robert

[rowbare]

Nice score! That is a pretty complete package. You might want to do the spindle upgrade. It will get you a better RPM range.

bob

[bob b]

i would like to buy a 770 but don't know a thing about cnc maching been an old time machinist since the 70's seeing the vidio on these things makes me drool i have space issues. Thats why im looking at thesmaller machine cna your run and machine in a manual form on machine till you get to learn cnc thanks for the help bob b. Oh and what do you recomend to start out with as far as package . Although the mill is priced reasonable for what it does are the cheaper machines out there and do you need the base cabinet seems pretty pricy to me for that item

[R.DesJardin]

Welcome,
The extras are really a personal use thing, I my self wish I could have everything they offer.
I use Sprutcam and have found it to be a valuable tool, I use Alibre for my CAD.
Search around the forum here and you will find an abundance modifications users have done to their machines.

[bob b]

still would likes some pros and cons on 770 , also can i machine with basic package or do i have to buy a seperate pc. I have never ran a cnc machine is it easy to learn or do i have to be a rocket scientist to figueu out

[Scott_M]

Hi bob b
You should start your own thread. It will make it easier to keep the 2 topics separate. I have some answers for you and I am sure others do as well.

I will keep an eye out for your post.

Scott

[proengines]

Philbur, you're right, I don't have any cam software yet. I'm currently looking around for cam software, what would people recommend? Sprutcam looks nice in some of the demo videos but I'd like a little more info before I buy it.

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers,
Greg

[RTP_Burnsville]

I looked at lots of CAM programs before buying SprutCam but for the $'s Tormach sells it for you will be hard pressed to find a better deal. It is a full featured program and gets better each release.

It had a fairly steep learning curve back a few years ago as there was little documentation but that has greatly changed. Check it out.

Robert